Electric switch



Jan. 3, 1939. R, F. sAM'BLEsON ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. l5, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor:

Robert FSambieson,

His Attorrweg.

Jan. 3, 1939. R `Fl SAMBLESQN 2,142,152

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. l5, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll/111111111111111 Inventor: Robert FT Sambleson ttorheld.

Jan. 3, R. F. SAMBLESON v 2,142,152

ELECTRI C SWITCH Inventor Robert F.' Sambleson,

Patented UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH Robert F. Sambleson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to General Electric Company, a. corporation of 'Ihe present New York Application November 15, 1935, Serial No. 49,930

18 Claims. (Cl. 20G-153) invention relates to electric switches of the type having liquid contact circuit closers for controlling the flow of current.

The object of my invention is to provide anA improved construction and switches of this type, and for a consideration of arrangement in what I believe to be novel and my invention attention is directed to the accompanying description and the In the ac claims appended thereto. companying drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a switch embodying my in.- vention taken Online I-I of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the switch shown in Fig. 1, parts of the switch being broken away; Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4

is a diagrammatic View showing the constructionand operation of the liquid contact circuit closer; Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the manner vof mounting the switches crosswise in an outlet box; Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevation taken on line 6--6 ofv Fig. 'l of Aa. double pole switch embodying my invention; Fig. l is a top plan view of the switch shown in Fig. 6, parts of the switch being broken away; Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a dia.- grammatic view showing the operation of the switch; Fig. the operatic switch; Fig.

10 is a diagrammatic view showing n oil the switch as a three-way 11 is a side elevation showing an- 1 other arrangement of the switches mounted crosswise in an outlet box; Fig. 12 is a sectional side elevation taken on line I2-I2 of Fig. 13 of a four-way switch embodying my invention; Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the switch shown in Fig.

12, parts of the switch being broken away; Fig.

14 is a sectional elevation taken on line I 4-I4 of Fig. 12; and Fig. 15 is adiagrammatic view showing the operation of the fourway switch.

Referring to Fig. 4, I have illustrated my-invention using a liquid contact circuit closer having a pair of l are separated by an insulating diaphragm 2 of a refractory cup-shaped metal terminals I which I material, such asa ceramic material. The edges of the terminals are sealed by a vbead 3 of gla ss which also seals the junctions beity of the ci lines in Fig.

rcuit closer. As shown by the full 4, the diaphragm 2 is provided with an opening 5 which is submerged in the mercury when the circuit closer is in the current-conducting position. When the circuit closer is in the current-interrupting position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the opening 5 is above the mercury, and the circuit between the terminals is therefore broken by the insulating diaphragm 2. Due to the construction of the circuit closer, the interruption of the circuit between the terminals takes place in they mercury as the circuit closer is turned so that the opening 5 in the diaphragm approaches the dotted line position. The above described construction is illustrative of liquid contact circuit closers which are suitable for use in switches embodying my invention.

The switch shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive is supported in a housing 6 of molded insulating material. Between the terminals of the liquid Contact circuit closer and the side walls of the housingA are contact strips l, each of which is provided with a projection 8 which ts into a complementary depression 9 in the adjacent terminals. The projections 8 and the depressions 9 provide ball and socket connections between the terminals and the .contacts 'I thereby supporting the circuit closer for rotation about its axis.

'I'he wiping action between the contacts and the terminals tends to prevent increased contact resistance. Prior to the assembly of the contacts 'I, the ends of the contacts are bent inwardly and given an initial set so that they exert an inward pressure on the terminals thereby increasing the contact pressure. The side walls of the housing prevent spreading of the contacts so that the circuit closer is securely held between the contacts. On the upper side of the circuit closer is a handle I0 on the under side of which is a groove I0a which iits over the bead 3. The

handle l0 is provided with projecting anges II on each side which rest on the upper surface of the terminals I. On the under side of the flanges II are projections I2 which fit into depressions I3 in the terminals and prevent relative rotation vbetween the handle and the terminals. Sidewise displacement of the handle relative to the circuit closer is prevented by the groove Ilia which fits over the bead 3. The handle is held in place on vets or eyelets I6. Two of the rivets I 6 are also used to secure the contacts 'I to the supporting strip I5. The upper surfaces of the ilanges II on the handle are provided with depressions Il into which the curved ends I8 of the spring stripsl I4 are adapted to iit. When the ends I8 rest in the depressions I1, the handle is resiliently held in this position. The spring strips also tend to force the circuit closer between the contacts 1 and thereby increase the contact pressure between the terminals and the contacts.

In the assembly of the switch, the contacts 1 are arranged on each side of the liquid contact circuit closer with the projections 8 resting in the depressions 9 in the terminals I. The handle ID is then placed on the circuit closer so that the projections I2 iit in the depressions I3 in the terminals. The spring strips I4 are then assembled on the supporting strip I5, and the spring strips are riveted to the supporting strip by means of the hollow rivets I6. Two of the rivets I6 have the additional function of securing the contacts 1 to the supporting strip I5. When the riveting operation is completed, the circuit closer, the handle I0, the contacts 1, and the spring strips I8 are all held in assembled relation on the supporting strip I5 and the circuit closer is supported between the contacts for rotation about its axis. The assembly is then inserted within the housing so that the ends of inserts I9 molded in the housing project through the hollow rivets I6. The upper ends of the inserts I9 are then Spun over, holding the assembly in the housing. The housing is provided with slots 20 adjacent the side walls in which the contacts 1 t. These slots hold the contacts 1 vertical, and the bottom of the slots provides supports for the lower edges of the contacts. The electrical connection to the contact strips 1 is made by means of terminal screws 2Ia threaded into the inserts I9. The upper end of the housing 6 is closed by a cover 2|.

The switch, described above is adapted for group mounting crosswise in a conventional outlet box 22, as shown .in Fig. 5. The bottom of the housing 6 is provided with two projecting bosses 23 which project through openings in a mounting strap 24 secured in the top wall of the box. The projections 23 are provided with slots 25 which extend below the lower surface of the strap and which are adapted to receive pins for holding the switch to the strap. By having the mounting strap 24 support the switches from a point below/the top of the switch, it is possible to mount the switches in the outlet box andsubsequently to pull the wires up the sides of the box and attach them to terminal screws 2Ia which are located on the top of the switch housing. Afterthe switches are mounted in the outlet box, a cover plate 26 is secured across the top of the box. This cover plate iS provided with openings 21 which t over the projecting portion 28 on the switch cover 2l, and the cover plate therefore assists in holding the switches in the outlet box.

When the switches are mounted inthe outlet box, the right-hand end of the switchas shown in Fig. l; is mounted at the top of the outlet box. When the switchis mounted in this position, the movement of the handle I0 to the upper position, shown in full lines in Fig. 4, causes the circuit to be closed between the terminals I of the circuit closer. The movement of the handle to the lower position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, causes the circuit between the terminals of the circuit closer to be opened.

The switch shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive is a double-pole or a 3-way switch which is adapted for mounting crosswise in an outlet box. This contact strips 35. Over each of the terminals I are rings 36 of insulating material which are provided with intermeshing teeth 31. The rings 36 are located on the terminals by projections 38 which nt into depressions 39 in the terminals. The rings 36 are held in place on the terminals by contact strips 3l and 35, and it is apparent that with this construction the liquid contact circuit closers turn in unison and in opposite directions. On the upper circuit closer is a handle 4U which is provided with a groove 4I on the under sidewhich ts over the bead 3. Molded into the handle are metal inserts 42 the forked ends 43 of which project from opposite sides of the handle. The ends 43 of the metal inserts 42 extend between the terminals of the upper liquid contact circuit closer and the rings 36, and the ends are bent up into depressions 44 in the rings to hold the handle on the circuit closer. At the four corners of the upper liquid contact circuit closer are spring strips 45 which bear on the rings 36. The spring strips 45 exert a downward pressure on the circuit closerwhich increases the contact pressure between the terminals of the circuit closers and the contacts 3I and 35. The spring strips are provided with curved ends 46 which t into depressions 41 in the rings 36 and resiliently hold'the circuit closers in either extreme position. The spring strips 45 and the contacts 3| and 35 are secured to a supporting strip 48 by means of hollow rivets 49.

In the assembly of the switch the handle 4U is placed on the upper liquid contact circuit closer, and the rings 36 are placed on the terminals over the ends 43 of the inserts 42 molded in the handle. The rings 36 are then turned so that the projections 38 t in the depressions 39 in the terminals, and the ends 43 of the inserts 42 are bent up into recesses 44 in the rings. This locates the handle 40 with respect to the upper liquid contact circuit closer and secures the handle thereto. The rings 36 are then assembled on the terminals of the lower liquid Contact circuit closer and the lower circuit closer is arranged so that the teeth 31 of the rings 36 mesh. The contact strips 3! and 35 are then placed against the terminals so that the projections on the contact strips fit within the depressions in the terminals. The spring strips 45 are then placed on the contact strips and the spring strips end the contacts 3| and 35 are riveted to theI supporting strip 48 by means of the hollow rivets 49.l The liquid contact circuit closers, the handle, and the contact strips are now assembled as a unit. This assembly is then inserted into the housing 30 so that the ends of inserts 50 which are molded into the housing project through the hollow rivets 49 and the projecting ends of the inserts 50 are spun over the rivets thereby holding the switch within the housing. The line conductors are connected to the switch by means of terminal screws 5I which are threaded into the inserts." As shown in Fig. 7, the contact strips 3| which engage the lower circuit closer are connected respectively to the terminals marked A and B, and the contact strips 35 which bear against the terminals "of the upper circuit closer are connected respectively to the terminais marked C and D.

Figs. 5 and 11 show the double-pole switch mounted in the outlet box 22. When so mounted,

the lower end of the housing 30 projects through an opening inthe strap 24, and the openings 52 in bosses 53 extend below the mounting strap. The switch is held in place by pins passing through these openings. The upper side of the switch is enclosed by a cover 54 having a boss 55 which projects through one of the openings 21 in the cover plate 26.

The operation of the double-pole switch is shown in Fig. 9. When the handle 40 is in the upper position, circuits are completed from terminal A to terminal B and from terminal C to terminal D. When the handle is in the lower position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, these circuits are broken.

By changing the location of the opening 5 in the diaphragm of the lower liquid contact circuit closer and by connecting the terminals A and C, this switch may be used as a three-way switch. When these changes are made, the operation of the switch is shown in Fig. 10. When the handle is in the upper position shown in full lines, a circuit is completed from the terminal D to the terminals A and C, and when the handle is in the lower position shown in dotted lines, a circuit is completed from the terminal B to the terminals A and C.

The switch shown in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive is a double-pole reversing switch or a four-way switch which is adapted for mounting crosswise in an outlet box. This switch uses four liquid contact circuit closers of the construction shown in 4, which are arranged in two pairs, one pair being above the other in a housing 56 of molded insulating material. The inner terminals of each pair of circuit closers are adjacent each other, and the outer terminals are adjacent the side walls of the housing 56. Between the outer terminals of the circuit closer and each side wall of the housing is a contact strip 51 having two projections 58 and 59 which fit respectively into depressions 60 and 6I in the terminals. Between the adjacent terminalsof each pair of circuit closers in a contact strip 62 having a U-shaped portion which is provided with oppositely facing projections which t into depressions 63 in the terminals. The projections on the contact strips and the depressions in the terminals provide ball and socket connections which support the circuit closers for rotation about their axes. Over each of the terminals of the circuit closers are rings 64 of insulating material which are provided with intermeshing teeth 65. They rings 64 are located on the terminals by projections 66 which fit into depressions 61 in the terminals. The rings 64 are held in place on the terminals by the contacts 51 and 62, and it is apparent that with this construction the upper and lower liquid contact circuit closers turn in unison and in opposite directions. In order that the adjacent circuit closers may also turn in unison, the inner rings 64v are connected by pins 68.

On one of the upper circuit closers is a handle 69 which is provided with a groove 10 which fits over the bead 3. Molded into the handle are two inserts 1I each having forked ends 12 which project from opposite sides of the handle. The ends and secures the handle thereto.

12 of the inserts extend between the terminals of the circuit closer and the rings 64, and the ends are bent up into depressions 13 in the rings 64 and thereby hold the handle on the circuit closer. At the four corners of 'the upperpair ofcircuitclosers are spring strips 14 which bear on the rings 64. The spring strips 14 exert a downward pressure on the circuit closers which increases the contact pressure between the terminals and the contacts 51 and 62. The spring strips are provided with curved ends 15 which t into depressions 16 in the rings 64 and resiliently hold the circuit closers in either extreme position. The spring strips 14 andfthe contacts 51 and,62 are secured tog-ether by means of hollow rivets 11.

In the assembly of the switch, the handle 69 is placed on one of the upper liquid contact circuit closers and the rings 64 are placed on the terminals over the ends 12 of the inserts 1I. The rings 64 are then turned so that the projections 66 t in the depressions 61 in the terminals, and the ends 12 of the inserts 1I are bent up into recesses 13 in the rings. This locates the handle 69 with reference to the liquid contact circuit closer The rings 64 are then assembled on the other upper liquid contact circuit closer, and the circuit closers are assembled adjacent each other with the contact strip 62 between the circuit closers. During this assembly, the' adjacent rings arel connected by the pins 68. The rings 64 are then assembled on the terminals of the lower liquid Contact circuit closers, and the circuit closers are assembled adjacent each other with the contact strip 62 between the circuit closers and with the pin 68 connecting the adjacent rings S4. The lower pair of circuit closers is then placed adjacent the upper pair of circuit closers so that the teeth of the rings 64 are in mesh. The contact strips 51 are then assembled against the outer terminals so that the projections 58 and 59 respectively t in depressions 60 and 6| in the terminals. The springs 14 are then assembled on the contact strips 51 and 62, and the contact strips and springs connected together by hollow rivets 11.

opening in the mounting strap 24, and the switch A is held on the mounting strap by pins passing through holes 80 in bosses 8| on the housing. The upper end of the housing is enclosed by a cover 82 having two bosses 83 which project through two of the openings 21 in the cover plate 26.

The operation of the switch is shown in Fig. 15. For convenience, the terminals of the switch have been labelled E, F, G, and H, and the switch is shown mounted with the right-hand end of the switch as viewed in Fig. 12 at the top of the outlet box. The handle has been diagrammatically indicated on each of the upper circuit closers. When the handle is in the upper position shown in full lines in Fig. 15 a circuit is completed from terminal E to terminal H and from terminal F from terminal E to terminal G and from terminal F to terminal H.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is:

1. In an electric switch, a liquid contact circuit closer operable by rotation about its axis, a support for the circuit closer, a handle on the circuit closer for rotating the circuit closer, and spring means secured to said support for holding the handle on the circuit closer.

2. In an electric switch, a liquid contact circuit closer operable by rotation about its axis and having terminals on opposite sides thereof, a pair of contacts engaging sa id terminals and supporting said circuit closer for rotation about its axis, a handle on said circuit closer for rotating said circuit closer, a support to which said contacts are secured, and spring means secured to said support for holding the handle on the circuit closer.

3. In an electric switch, a liquid Contact circuit closer operable by rotation about its axis having terminals on opposite sides thereof, a pair of contacts respectively engaging said terminals, said contacts and said terminals having complementary ball and socket portions whereby v the circuit closer is supported for rotation about its axis, spring means exerting a force on said circuit closer normal to its axis of rotation, and means for securing said spring means and said contacts together.

4'. In an electric switch, a liquid contact circuit closer operable by rotation about its axis' having terminals on opposite sides thereof, a pair of contacts respectively engaging said terminals, said contacts and said terminals having complementary ball and socket portions whereby the circuit closer is supported for rotation about its axis, spring strips on opposite sides of said' circuit closer engaging said circuit closer and exerting a force thereon normal to its axis of rotation, a sheet of insulating material providlng a support for the circuit closer, and means securing said strips and said contacts to said sheet.

5. In an electric switch, a liquid contact circuit closer operable by rotation about its axis having terminals on opposite sides thereof, a pair of contacts respectively engaging said terminals, said contacts and said terminals having complementary ball and socket portions whereby the circuit closer is supported for rotation about its axis, spring strips on opposite sides of said circuit closer engaging said circuit lcloser and exerting a force thereon normal to its axis of rotation, hollow rivets securing said strips and said contacts together, and a housing for said switch having inserts molded therein, said inserts being adapted to extend through said hollow rivets and to be spun over to secure the switch in -the housing.

6. In an electric switch for group mounting crosswise in a standard domestic outlet box, a

housing open at one end, liquid contact circuit closers in said housing spaced apart one above the other along an axis passing through the openk end of the housingr with the axes of the circuit closers lengthwise of the outlet box, means for supporting the circuit closers in the housing, a. handle projecting through one end of the housing, and means connected to the handle for operating the circuit closers.

7. In an electric switch, liquid contact circuit closers each having' an enclosure including cupshaped terminals on opposite sides thereof, means engaging said terminals for supporting the circuit closers for rotation about the axes of their terminals, members iltting over and secured to a terminal of each of said circuit closers and having intermeshing gear teeth formed thereon, and means for rotating one of said circuit closers.

8. In an electric switch adaptedfor group mounting crosswise in a standard domestic outlet box, liquid contact circuit closers operable by rotation about their axes, means for supporting said circuit closers one above the other with reference to the bottom of the outlet box with their axes parallel to the length of the box, and manually operated means accessible from the front of the outlet box for rotating said circuit closers.

9. In an electric switch adapted for group mounting crosswise in a standard domestic outlet box, liquid contact circuit closers operable by rotation abouty their axes, means for supporting said circuit closers one above another with reference to the bottom of the outlet box with their axes parallel to the length of the box, manually operated means accessible from the front of the outlet box for rotating one of said circuit closers, and means connected to said one circuit closer for rotating other of the circuit closers.

10. In an electric switch, a. liquid contact circuit closer operable by rotation about its axis and having terminals on opposite sides thereof, members of insulating material on said terminals, a handle for said circuit closer, said handle having metal projections extending between said members and said terminals and bent against the sides of said members for securing the handle to the circuit closer.

1l. In an electric switch, liquid contact circuit closers operable by rotation about their axes, each of said circuit closers having an enclosure including cup-shaped terminals on opposite sides thereof, contacts engaging the terminals of each circuit closer, said terminals and said contacts being provided with complementary ball and socket portions whereby said circuit closers are supported for rotation about the axes of their terminals, members .of insulating material on said terminals, said members being provided with intermeshing teeth whereby said 'circuit closers are rotatable in unison.

i2. In an electric switch, a. support, spaced contacts secured to said support, said contacts having opposed surfaces, a liquid contact circuit closer between said contacts and having an enclosure including cup-shaped terminals on opposite sides thereof frictionally engaging said opposed surfaces, said surfaces and said terminals having complementary ball and socket portions whereby said circuit closer is supported for rotation about the axis of its terminals.

13. In an electric switch, a support, spaced contacts secured to said support, said contacts having opposed surfaces, a liquid contact circuit closer between said contacts and having an enclosure including cup-shaped terminals on opposite sides thereof frictionally engaging said opposed surfaces,` said surfaces and said terminals having complementary ball and socket portions whereby said circuit closer is supported for rotation about the axis of its terminals, and spring means secured to said support. for exerting a force on the circuit closer normal to its axis of rotation for increasing'the contact pressure be-v tween the terminals and the contacts.

14. In an electric switch, a liquid contact (circuit closer having an enclosure including/opposed cup-shaped terminals, contacts engaging said terminals, said contacts and said terminals having complementary projections and depressions formed therein whereby said circuit closer is supported for rotation about the axis of its terminals, a handle on said circuit closer foi` rotating said circuit closer, a support to which said contacts areA secured, and spring means secured to said support for holding the handle on the circuit closer. v

15. In an electric switch, a liquid contact cir-Y cuit closer having an enclosure including opposed cup-shaped terminals, contacts. engaging said terminals, said contacts and said terminals having complementary projections and depressions formed therein whereby said circuit closer is supported for rotation about the axis of its terminals, a handle fitting over said terminals, said handle and said terminals having interfitting portions for preventing relative rotation therebetween, arcuate fianges extending from each side of said handle, a support to which said contacts are secured, and spring means secured to said support and engaging said iianges for holding the handle on said terminals.

16. In an electric switch, a liquid contact circuit closer having terminals on opposite sides thereof, a pair of contacts respectively engaging.

A1'1. In an electric switch, a housing, liquid contact circuit closers arranged one above the other in said housing, said circuit closers having terminals facing the side walls of the housing, contact strips between said terminals and said side Walls and extending longitudinally thereof toward the ends of the housing, said contact strips being spaced one above the other, and said contacts and said terminals having inter-engaging/ projections and depressions providing bearing surfaces whereby the circuit closers are supported 4for rotation about the axes of their terminals, flanges on said contacts at the ends of the housing yfacing the top of the housing and extendingl inwardly from the walls thereof, said flanges being provided with means for attaching conductors thereto, supports beneath said flanges, and means securing saidy flanges to said supports.

18. In an electric switch, a housing, liquid contact circuit closers having opposed terminals facing the side walls of the housing, contact strips extending along said walls between the terminals and said walls, said strips and said terminals having inter-engaging bearing surfaces whereby the 'circuit closers are supported for rotation, the diameter of said bearing surfaces being relatively great compared to the thickness of the strips,

and rings of insulating material non-rotatably carried on said terminals, said rings having intermeshing vgear teeth whereby the circuit closers are turned in unison and said rings being located between said 'contact strips and held on the terminals by: said strips.

l ROBERT F. sammsoiv. 

